A campaign has been launched to raise £2.5m towards a new multi-million pound sports hub named after Norwich City FC’s former home ground.

The Nest, which will be located in Horsford, will include a floodlit 3G football pitch, sports hall, gym, and seven grass football pitches once complete. But in order for the second phase of its construction to go ahead, more funding is needed.

Norwich City Community Sports Foundation (CSF), which is behind the scheme, has launched its Build The Nest campaign to raise the money.

Initial work on the facility, which will be built on the former Anglian Windows Sports and Social Club site, on Holt Road, has already got under way.

Seven grass football pitches have been re-layed as part of the £1.5m first phase, which is due to be complete this summer.

How The Nest in Horsford could look. Photo: Chaplin Farrant

It will also see the clubhouse renovated and bunk boxes installed. The second phase, which is estimated to cost £9.4m, will see the remaining facilities built.

The foundation said it hoped to raise £2.5m of that figure through public donations, community events and by working with local businesses.

Jackie Thornton, the charity’s head of development, said: “We are hugely grateful to the organisations that have pledged funding to The Nest, but there is a lot of work left to do to raise the final £2.5m and we hope for a real wave of support for our campaign.”

The CSF, which is Norwich City FC’s official charity, hopes that once finished the new sports hub will engage with up to 12,000 people each year. People with disabilities, the homeless and other disadvantaged people will receive support through the scheme.

How The Nest in Horsford could look. Photo: Chaplin Farrant

The project is funded separately from the football club.

Norwich City’s managing director Steve Stone, a trustee for CSF, said: “Norwich City fans will appreciate that we cannot use club funds towards this project. The foundation needs to generate a significant amount of external backing. We are however getting behind the fundraising campaign as a club, by putting on the Norwich City Legends v Inter Forever fixture in May.”

To donate to the project, email csf.fundraising@canaries.co.uk or call 01603 761122.